French authorities will start intercepting migrant vessels in Channel following British demands
France has agreed to begin intercepting small boats in the English Channel, following an extended period of insistence from the United Kingdom.
The change in policy comes after the British leader wrote to the French leader urging him to back the initiative and stating there presently "have no effective preventive measure" in the Channel.
French maritime police have been authorized to stop the small boats at sea, but only before they've picked up their migrants, according to official confirmation.
French police have rarely intervened to stop the heavily loaded boats departing from the coastline because it is viewed as excessively high a risk to both personnel and individuals.
"It is crucial that we deploy these tactics this month... We have zero effective prevention in the Channel waters."
Now, a French naval police spokesperson states officers will begin intervening at sea, with the aim of protecting lives.
Significantly, the official excluded the use of entanglement devices to stop boats, which had earlier been reported as a possible method to snarl the engines of the boats.
The decision to take action at all is a significant advancement, following a brief shift towards a more aggressive strategy this warmer season, which ceased when the former Interior Minister departed from government.
That was highlighted in the summer month, in the run-up to a summit between the UK leader and President, when authorities were witnessed walking into the sea to slash the sides of a boat.
Currently French officials will once more be permitted to stop boats prior to they pick up asylum-seeking passengers from the coastal areas of northern France, however it's uncertain how the vessels will be prevented.
Powerful gusts are currently delaying the start of interceptions and the people-smuggling networks will be looking for ways to adjust to avoid interception, as they have frequently done in the past.
The Home Office and Downing Street have been approached for comment.
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